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Weather & Climate in Ipswich, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ipswich experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 40 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,930/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.6757°N, 70.8220°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Essex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Beverly Regional (BVY) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 103 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 48 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 115 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 22 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 46 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 23 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 67 km | 25 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 57 km | 10 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 101 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 54 km | 0 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine | M2.7 | 105 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 291 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 28 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 184 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
134 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 84 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 96 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 35 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 35 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 66 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 51 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1972 | EF2 | 49 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1972 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1968 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1967 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1966 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1966 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1965 | EF2 | 42 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1963 | EF2 | 66 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.8 in |
Ipswich has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.3") and July the driest (3.0").